You can’t predict what will get an artist going. Most of the year you can count on lots of people driving around this part of the world with their dogs in the truck. It isn’t just me. The dogs are riding along with their ears flapping in the breeze, or waiting in the car with the engine running, wishing they could figure out how to put it in gear, or just sitting there watching the passing parade, grinning doggy grins.
Lindy Bishop, proprietor of the Seed gallery down in Elk Rapids, made note of the high proportion of mobile dogs, and was inspired to create an ad hoc exhibit called Go Dog, Go: Photos from the Lot. Then she put it up at the Village Market, where everyone would be sure to see it, on account of that’s where a person can obtain both excellent treats and kibble.
Louan and I happened upon the exhibit during our Vacation Day and admired it. It took up most of the window space on the parking lot side of the store. I took a quick snapshot as a memo to self: Make a blog post about this. Then Tommy’s Mom sent this photo. Aha. A Trend.
Always quick to spot opportunities for recruiting fence painters, I trotted over to see Lindy and ask if she’d let me use some examples of her series here on TLV. Voila.
Then I was stumped. I could not find a photo of the Disreputable Duo in the car. OK, a photo that I hadn’t already used. Finally I retrieved this one from the 2007 archives. Miss Sadie is driving and the Cowboy is pretending he doesn’t mind.
I will leave you with a Public Service Message. Trooper Mikowski and Jett wish to remind everyone that it is August after all, and it is not safe to leave dogs and kids in cars unsupervised. It’s too darned hot. But rides—rides are good!
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
August 8, 2010
I’m glad you included that reminder, Gerry. Even with windows down, a car in the sun on a warm day, not moving, will heat up inside very fast.
A trend, though, indeed it is. A man commented to me about all the dogs in cars he’d noticed in Northport, and I told him if he didn’t have a dog in his car he might be risking a ticket. (We don’t have parking meters, but we do have our ways.)
Do you mind if I include here a plug for next Saturday’s dog parade in Northport? Parade formation at noon, parade at one. Always funny, always fun. Photo ops galore.
Cindy Lou
August 8, 2010
Look at all the puppies! I love that goofy look that dogs get when they have their heads out the window, their ears flopping in the breeze….it takes so little to make a dog happy!
Karma
August 8, 2010
Gee there is a photo inspiration I have somehow never taken advantage of! The seats of my car are currently quite furry from the last ride.
Thank you for the reminder too. It is unfortunate that the people who most need it, will probably never see or heed it. A related tragedy recently got much news coverage in these parts, though it was sadly much worse than dogs being left in a car with the windows cracked.
katherine
August 9, 2010
LOVE those photos….along with NEVER leaving kids and pets in cars in the sun, people should realize, like children, dogs should be restrained in the back seat in harnesses made specifically for that. They snap into the regular seat belts.
Gerry
August 9, 2010
You are absolutely right of course. And I had a harness for the Cowboy. But then he made a real good start on chewing through the seatbelt while we were driving along. The Cowboy is determined and devious. Now they ride unbelted. At least they’re in the back seat.
Scott Thomas Photography
August 9, 2010
I tell you digital photography breeds (pun intended) creativity. What a fun and wonderful idea!
Gerry
August 9, 2010
It was fun to peruse the photo display about the parking lot in the parking lot!